Key facts
- Plesk and cPanel are both web hosting control panels for managing sites, email and databases.
- Both support PHP, MySQL or MariaDB, email accounts, SSL certificates and DNS records.
- Plesk lets you choose a PHP version and PHP settings per domain from the panel.
- Plesk includes a WordPress Toolkit for installs, updates and staging copies.
- Sites can be moved between the two panels, though it is not always one click.
- dijitul Complete Hosting includes your own Plesk login at £1 a day + VAT.
What a control panel does
A control panel is the website you log in to when you want to manage your hosting. Instead of typing commands on a server, you click buttons to add a domain, create an email address, open phpMyAdmin or install an SSL certificate.
Plesk and cPanel are the two best-known panels on Linux hosting. Both are mature products that have been around for many years, and both cover the everyday jobs well. The differences are mostly in layout, how they handle multiple sites, and the extra tools they bundle. For a wider introduction, see what is Plesk and is it easy to use?
Plesk vs cPanel side by side
| Feature | Plesk | cPanel |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Organised around each domain, with settings grouped together | Organised as a grid of icons by feature |
| PHP versions | Chosen per domain, with PHP-FPM and php.ini settings in the panel | Per-domain choice is usually available, depending on how the host sets it up |
| WordPress tools | WordPress Toolkit for installs, updates, cloning and staging | Varies by host and add-ons installed |
| Email, databases, SSL | Yes, including Let's Encrypt | Yes, including free SSL options |
| Developer tools | Git, Composer, Node.js, SSH and scheduled tasks (cron) | Git, SSH and cron jobs, with others depending on the host |
| Operating systems | Linux and Windows servers | Linux servers |
Exact features depend on the version and on what your host enables, so check with them.
Which is easier for a small business owner?
Plesk is often easier for non-technical owners because everything for one website sits on one page: files, databases, PHP settings, SSL and backups. You pick a domain and see what belongs to it.
cPanel suits people who already know it. Many developers learnt on cPanel and like the icon grid. If you have used it for years, it will feel natural.
Honestly, most owners log in a few times a year. What matters more is whether the host will do the job for you when you ask. A panel you never need to touch is the best panel of all.
Questions to ask a host, whichever panel they use
The panel is only part of the picture. Before you choose, ask the host:
- Can I pick a PHP version for each site, and change settings such as memory_limit and upload_max_filesize?
- Are ionCube Loader and extensions such as imagick, soap, intl and zip available?
- Do I get phpMyAdmin, SSH or SFTP, and scheduled tasks for cron jobs?
- Are daily backups included, and can I restore a single file or database?
- Is free SSL issued and renewed automatically?
- Will you make changes for me, or am I expected to do it all through the panel?
Clear answers to these tell you far more than the name of the panel. Our guide on what should be included in web hosting has a fuller checklist.
Moving from cPanel to Plesk
Switching panels usually means moving hosts. The website files, databases and email accounts all come across. The steps are:
- Take a full backup of the cPanel account.
- Recreate the domain, PHP version and settings on Plesk.
- Copy files and import the databases.
- Recreate mailboxes and copy existing email.
- Test the site on the new server before changing DNS.
- Point DNS across and check SSL is issued.
See how to move a website without downtime for the detail.
How dijitul uses Plesk
dijitul runs its hosting on Plesk. With Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT you get your own Plesk login, but we manage the server, updates, security and monitoring, so you only need it if you want it. If you are coming from cPanel, our website migration is included: we move the files, databases and email and keep your PHP version where safely possible.
Find out more about Plesk hosting or order online.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plesk better than cPanel?
Neither is better for everyone. Plesk is often easier for non-technical owners because it groups everything by domain, and it has strong WordPress and per-site PHP tools. cPanel is familiar to many developers. Both handle websites, email, databases and SSL well, so the quality of the host matters more.
Can I move my website from cPanel to Plesk?
Yes. Website files, MySQL or MariaDB databases and email accounts can all be moved from a cPanel host to a Plesk host. It usually needs some manual steps, such as recreating mailboxes and checking PHP settings, so many people ask the new host to do the migration.
Does Plesk support WordPress?
Yes. Plesk includes a WordPress Toolkit that installs WordPress, manages updates for core, plugins and themes, and can create staging copies so you can test changes before they go live. It also lets you set the PHP version for each WordPress site separately.
Do I need to use the control panel myself?
Not on managed hosting. With a managed host the provider handles updates, backups, SSL and settings for you. The control panel is there if you want to add an email address or check something, but many owners rarely log in.
Does dijitul use Plesk or cPanel?
dijitul uses Plesk. Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT includes your own Plesk login, while dijitul manages the server, updates and security. Migration from cPanel or any other host is included, with files, databases and email moved for you.
Related
Set it up and forget about it
Managed hosting, Plesk, Cloudflare DNS, daily backups and your domain for £1 a day + VAT. We move your site for you.